Monday, March 19, 2018

Today is the last day of winter, ya'll! I am so excited because my very favorite season starts tomorrow! I love everything about spring --the birds chirping, being out in the sun, the little sprouting of plants pushing through the earth. So much goodness to enjoy and relish.

Around this time every year we host a big Easter celebration at our home so I start sprucing everything up. I love doing a bit of a makeover on things to make them fresh and it helps the pass those long winter days more quickly! So I thought I would start a regular monthly post called My Humble Home to let you have a peek into my life and share all the little projects I am doing around here.

One of the things I did was I wanted a fresh spring look in my bedroom. So when I found this beauty I had to have her!

(this is not an actual picture of my bedroom)

I read the reviews and it sounded like the picture was true to color. I had never used a duvet before but glad I did this time. And I am so happy with it because it is absolutely beautiful! Even my husband liked it and he is more of a "manly man".

I like that if I want to change the look I can just keep the duvet cover off or just get another one for a very affordable price. And for the record, it is super comfy and soft! My son said it looked like it belonged in a bed and breakfast inn!

I also usually like to take on big painting projects and this year was no different. I planned two big projects this year--one was our family room and the other is our upper bathroom. We were going to go with gray and white in the family room but I am rethinking that this week and we might go with a dark wine color instead on our accent walls.

We also ordered some paint to do my oak cabinets black in our upper bathroom and this one I found requires no sanding, no primer or anything. Just wipe down your furniture and start painting. It is called Beyond Paint it is the color Licorice.

I have also been told that Benjamin Moore has a similiar product! I will look for it and link it here.

I also had to update our carpet in the foyer so I chose this oriental rug to match our stairs:

Lately have been reading this wonderful book on A Simplified Life by Emily Ley. I have to tell you I love so many of her ideas and will be using this book to encourage me through all the organizing and decluttering I plan on doing this spring!

I will write a full post on it tomorrow so you can read more about it--I am telling you, this is one is a very enjoyable, gentle book that is definitely worth your time if you want some inspiration in your homemaking!

Back to our updates--our family loves spending time outside, BBQing, and entertaining- so I also bought six new chairs with cushions for my patio deck. These are the exact ones I bought:

I would like to find an umbrella that I don'tt have to replace every year, so this time I am trying this out this new one and hope it will last for awhile. If you have any recommendations let me know! But I love how we can use these lights to hang out later at night as a family talking on the deck.

I hope you enjoyed hearing about what we are doing around in our humble home!

If you are looking to make some easy delicious Corned Beef & Cabbage you have come to the right place!

Every year around this time (St. Patrick's Day) we like to whip some of this up and it is a family favorite!

And honestly it is so easy, how could I not make it?

So if you have never made it before, don't be intimidated--it is super simple and your family will love you for it.

Here it is:

CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE RECIPE

2 CORNED BEEF ROASTS
1 HEAD SMALL CABBAGE
1-2 SMALL SLICED ONIONS

Add all the above ingredients in a slow cooker for about 5-7 hours on high along with the seasoning packet it comes with and it comes out simply amazing and the meat literally falls apart.

Seriously, people, that's it!

You can also add potatoes, carrots and a box of beef broth for more taste! Sometimes we eat it with a side of brown rice or mashed potatoes.

When we have this for St. Patrick's Day we might also have it along with some Irish soda bread and butter and make sure to have a green drink available (yes, I know it's not healthy, but it's only once a year). They also get a green dessert like jello, key lime pie. or green cupcakes.

The kiddos like to wear green too and earlier in the day I will print out some printables, word searches, etc. and things for them to do.

If you have leftovers (I can't remember the last time we have) you could make a corned beef hash like the one pictured below for the next day.

This looks so good I think I can actually smell it through my computer! I also think this Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup is worth a try! You could also make reuben sandwiches or do like a local pizzeria does in our neighborhood and make corned beef pizza!

Every year we make the corned beef in TWO crockpots because our family is large, but you could also use an Instant Pot and it would come out just as good.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home is a place to be encouraged in your high and noble calling of role of wife and mother and daughter to the King and we want to encourage each and every single reader out there to build up strong Christian homes to the glory of God.

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. "

1 Thessalonians 5:11

We would love for you to link up with us! Come and share your posts on building up your home, homemaking, character, hospitality, femininity, family, tea, recipes, parenting, marriage, homeschooling, and whatever else you'd like to share that would encourage our community. Feel free to also share more than one post!

We shared this powerful reminder on our Instagram this morning, it is hanging on my fridge as a reminder to myself and my children:

Be sure to connect with us there so you don't miss anything and on our other platforms too:

Now back to the Linkup--if you do join our link up we only require one thing! PLEASE share the image below on your blog and link back so that others can find us and join in the fun or just simply paste and copy the code into your blog sidebar or at the bottom of the post that you shared here:

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Easter is an important event in the Christian's life. It is a time that we remember what the Lord Jesus did for us, His sacrifice, His death, and His resurrection. We know the story good and well--but how do we teach it to our children in a meaningful and memorable way that makes sense to them?

First off, one of the very most important ways is just to read them the story through the Bible itself. Easy and simple and don't forget to start a discussion, especially if your children are old enough to understand it. You can even get them a Children's Bible to read through to make it easier.

But many of you have small children or grandchildren so I thought I would share some neat ways to still share the story and help them to learn the story.Maybe you can share these leading up to Easter or put them in the Easter basket if you make one. Either way I am sure it will be a blessing to them!

Some of you may like to do eggs (we do)--if you do them why not share the story of Easter through them with Resurrection Eggs:

I also like the idea of using toys to help them remember and tried to do this more when I had a lot of children who were smaller. This sparked tons of conversation that we would not probably have had otherwise. I like this Easter flannel board:

Some children respond greatly to gifts. Giving them jewelry is a great way to remind them about what is taught especially if you tie in the story with it. We like this beautiful girl's cross pendant:

Or instead of a necklace, bracelet, or ring, you could give them a cross flexiclip that would make a great reminder and lovely gift for them to wear on Easter Sunday morning from Lilla Rose--, they have them in extra small through extra large sizes:

(this Opal Maltese style is only available for the next three days but there are other cross styles available on the Lilla Rose website for adults too!)

We can't forget crafts because crafts are fun! Do you remember last year when I share about A Sense of the Resurrection: An Easter Experience for Families book with easy children's crafts pertaining to the Easter story leading up to the day. It was wildly popular and you can do all the Easter crafts in a day if you want, it is that simple!

Monday, March 12, 2018

Are you overwhelmed with all the information you need to know to keep your kids safe on social media and their phones?

You aren't alone. Many parents feel overwhelmed but all the information that is out there and don't know where to begin. But they do know that they want to keep their kids safe.

I have shared some posts in the past on the dangers and some practical tips here and here in case you missed it.

Some of the many problems we face with technology today as parents are:

1. Social media and smartphones weren't around when we were growing up - so we don' have examples of how our parents handled it with us so we have to learn how to keep our children safe on our own, We are kind of like the pioneers to all this but unfortunately, many of us are floundering greatly.

2. It is constantly changing--because there are new apps always rolling out having new capabilities we are in a constant state of having to learn and be aware of what is out there. Many of us are limited on time to be able to do this.

3. We need to realistically face the dangers - it is easy to act like there aren't any, but so many dangers do exist that we cannot put a blind eye to them. We need to properly educate and equip our children how to navigate the internet wisely.

A few ways parents have approached this situation is by:

1. Not giving their child a phone or device and give them child a phone without internet access for only making phone calls (depending on age, etc. ).

2. Always have accountability--when a child is online. A parent or a sibling watch them online and limit the time they are on. However, this doesn't cover time they are away from home and can get online anywhere such as using a friend's phone.

3. Parental Locks and filters - many parents like to layer their filters, have devices that can lock down their phones and social media (like Circle), and keep passwords to accounts check on children. Not even all of this can be foolproof either.

4. Limiting screen time - parents designate screen-free times throughout the day

You are their parents and you DO have a say over what they can do and what they can not.

I have been reading this book lately since we do have smartphones and devices in our home:

And even though this book is directed towards teens, I feel strongly that it is parents that really need to read this book. It is sobering and eye opening to see what is happening behind the scenes and the dark side of technology that can so easily enter into our children's lives in a blink of an eye.

Important note-that while this book title is directed towards teens, it covers many sensitive topics such as sexting and pornography so I would highly recommend parents to read this for themselves first and then decide if they want to let their teen read it. There is much here that is useful for the parent and can be used as a guide for your children without them having to read the book and being exposed to the dark sin that is out there that they might not already know about. It is practical in that it uses Scripture and provides helpful action steps that can be taken immediately throughout the chapters.
The book is also helpful in sharing how many apps work (so helpful when you don't have time to learn about them), how teens are making fake accounts, privacy settings, and mistakes to avoid with your teens.

Here is a peek of some of the chapters it covers:

I feel this book is a good starting place to especially get parents thinking deeply about how they want to guide their children wisely through social media and the use of devices.You can find this helpful book HERE.

Remember that you are not alone in your desire to protect your children. Ask the Lord for wisdom and He will give it to you-- and know that we are praying for you!I hope you find this book helpful as you guide your children to wisely navigate the internet!

What have you found helpful in protecting your family?Please share them in the comments to help others!

Friday, March 9, 2018

About once a month we try to share some of our favorite feminine picks online and today our theme is spring! We love the light colors in these Floral Lace Pocket Tank Maxi's--you could use a cardigan over the top if you'd like.

It comes in these two colors - Sage and Blush. Here is a close up of the lace:

We also like the Floral dresses below--this one makes me think of Easter and church and all the things Spring related:

And I know some of you are more into earth colors so I added this Classic Peplum Dress in below for you. I am short so this one would go past my knees:

I have really been into comfort now that I am in my mid-forties and I just want whatever I wear to be comfortable and easy. You know things you can just throw on and go.

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"Thank God, O women, for the quietude of your home, and that you are queen it it. Men come at eventide to the home; but all day long you are there, beautifying it, sanctifying it, adorning it, blessing it. Better be there than wear a queen's coronet. Better be there than carry the purse of a princess. It may be a very humble home. There may be no carpet on the floor. There may be no pictures on the wall. There may be no silks in the wardrobe; but, by your faith in God, and your cheerful demeanor, you may garniture that place with more splendor than the upholsterer's hand ever kindled." ---Reverend T. DeWitt Talmage, D.D

I Work For a King

"I work for a King. He has put me in charge of his home. When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting. I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board and a job to do, but it is all for Him. Therefore I want to dress my best and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and His beautiful creation. How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him."
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Oh, Mothers of young children, I bow before you in reverence. Your work is most holy. You are fashioning the destinies of immortal souls. The powers folded up in the little ones that you hushed to sleep in your bosoms last night, are powers that shall exist forever. You are preparing them for their immortal destiny and influence. Be faithful. Take up your sacred burden reverently. Be sure that your life is sweet and clean.--JR Miller

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